site.btaGeorgian National Charged with Human Trafficking

A national of Georgia, identified as P.M., was charged with human trafficking by the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office, the prosecution service said in a press release on Monday.

In violation of the Penal Code, the man assisted eight Syrian nationals to cross illegally into Bulgaria around 2:55 a.m. on May 12, 2024. The Georgian transported the migrants, who were minors, in a Mercedes motor car along the Trakia Motorway towards Sofia.

On conviction, the charge carries 2 to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine ranging from BGM 5,000 to BGN 20,000.

P.M. was detained for up to 72 hours. On Monday a supervising prosecutor approached the Sofia Regional Court with a motion to order the accused person to be held in custody as a precautionary measure to secure his appearance.